UPDATE: i went to BofA yesterday and got all my cash aid money at once! the teller was really helpful and didnt charge any fees. i deposited it to my checking account and paid my rent online. going to fill out that direct deposit form too so i dont have this problem again. thanks everyone for your help!!!!

So glad you got it sorted out! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - you can also check your EBT cash balance anytime by calling the customer service number on the back of your card or logging into the EBT cardholder portal online. This way you know exactly how much you have before going to the bank. Also, some Bank of America locations have longer lines than others, so if you're in a hurry like Isabella was, calling ahead to ask about wait times can save you stress!

This has been such an incredibly informative thread! As a newcomer to both this community and the CalWORKs system, I'm blown away by how much valuable information everyone has shared here. Ryder, huge congratulations on getting your sanction cleared! Your question has sparked what's basically become a comprehensive guide to navigating CalWORKs sanctions and the resources available that many of us never knew existed. I'm currently in my second month on CalWORKs and reading about everyone's experiences with sanctions is both eye-opening and a little scary. It's clear that the system has a lot of moving parts and requirements that aren't always clearly explained upfront. The recurring theme I'm seeing is that you really have to advocate for yourself and know what questions to ask. From this thread, I'm creating my own checklist of things to discuss with my caseworker: - Supportive Services program details - Transportation assistance options - Childcare assistance for WTW activities - Emergency aid availability - Good cause policies for missed appointments - Exact weekly hour requirements and what activities count - Direct contact information for my worker The advice about documentation is so valuable too - taking photos of paperwork, keeping personal records of hours, getting everything in writing when possible. It seems like being organized and proactive is crucial for staying compliant. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and practical tips. This community is proving to be an amazing resource for navigating something that can feel really overwhelming when you're doing it alone!

As someone who's been helping families navigate CalWORKs for several years, I wanted to add a few important points to this excellent discussion: First, Ryder - congratulations on clearing your sanction! The increase should appear in your next payment cycle, but if it doesn't, don't wait - contact your caseworker immediately. Sometimes there are system delays that require manual intervention. For everyone asking about regional amounts, you can find the current CalWORKs grant standards on the CDSS website under "CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) Schedule." It's updated annually and breaks down by region and household size. Regarding the Supportive Services program that many have mentioned - this is codified in CalWORKs regulations and every county is required to offer it, though the specific services available can vary. Beyond transportation, many counties provide assistance with work uniforms, tools, licensing fees, and even temporary lodging for job interviews. One critical point about sanctions: If you're ever facing a sanction, you have the right to request a hearing BEFORE it goes into effect. Many people don't know this and accept sanctions they could have successfully appealed. Finally, for those starting WTW activities - always get a copy of your WTW 2 form and make sure you understand every requirement. If anything is unclear, ask for clarification in writing. This protects both you and helps ensure you stay in compliance. Keep advocating for yourselves - you deserve access to all available resources!

Anna, I just wanted to jump in and offer some encouragement as you head into your interview tomorrow! As someone who went through this process about a year ago with my newborn, I can tell you that the anticipation is often worse than the actual interview itself. One thing that really helped me was remembering that the caseworkers genuinely want to help families get the assistance they need. Your situation - with a 6-week-old baby, being on maternity leave, and your boyfriend's recent job loss - is exactly the type of temporary crisis these programs were designed for. I can see from all the responses here that you're incredibly well-prepared. You've thought of everything from documents to bringing snacks, and you have such a supportive community behind you! That preparation and the fact that you already have a job to return to really demonstrates that you're using this assistance responsibly during a difficult period. Just remember to breathe tomorrow, be honest about your situation, and don't be afraid to ask questions if anything is unclear. The fact that you're being so proactive about getting help for your family shows what a great mom you are. Sending you lots of positive thoughts for tomorrow! I'll be checking back to see how it goes. You've absolutely got this! 💪❤️

Anna, I just wanted to jump in here before your interview tomorrow and add one more piece of encouragement! I can see you've gotten absolutely incredible advice from this community - seriously, this thread is like a masterclass in CalWORKs preparation! As someone who recently went through this process with my 3-month-old, I want to emphasize that bringing all those documents everyone mentioned is great, but don't stress if you're missing something minor. They can usually work with you to get additional paperwork later if needed. The most important thing is being honest about your situation. Your case sounds very straightforward - new mom on maternity leave with disability payments, boyfriend temporarily unemployed, and you have a job to return to. This is exactly what CalWORKs is designed to help with during temporary hardships. I love that you're planning to bring a notepad and snacks, and honestly, bringing your baby might actually help your case by showing the reality of your situation. The workers see families like yours all the time and they understand. One last thing - even if you feel emotional during the interview (which is totally normal!), just remember that asking for help when you need it is a sign of strength, not weakness. You're being an amazing advocate for your family. Tomorrow is going to go great! This whole community will be thinking of you. Please update us when you can - we're all invested in your success now! You've absolutely got this, mama! 💙🍀

UPDATE: I finally got through to my worker! Went to the police station this morning and filed a report, then called CalWORKs about 20 times until I finally got through. My worker sent me the CW 2215 form and I filled it out right away. She said they have to investigate but should replace the benefits within 10 business days. I'm still stressed about making rent, but she referred me to an emergency assistance program that might help with that. Thanks everyone for your advice - will update again when I hear about my replacement benefits!

I'm so glad you were able to get through to your worker and file all the paperwork! That's the hardest part. For future reference (and for anyone else reading this), here are some tips to protect your EBT card from skimming: - Cover your PIN when entering it at ATMs - Use ATMs inside banks or stores rather than standalone ones when possible - Check your balance regularly through the app or by calling the number - If an ATM seems suspicious or your card gets "stuck," don't use it The skimming devices are getting more sophisticated, so this can happen to anyone. You did everything right by acting quickly once you noticed. Hoping your replacement benefits come through soon and you can get that emergency rent assistance sorted out!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The confusing part is that CalWORKs and CalFresh are processed by different departments even though they use the same SAR-7 form. What probably happened is CalFresh processed your missed report first and cut you off, but CalWORKs hasn't gotten to it yet in their system. The February payment you got might actually be legitimate if it was issued before they processed the discontinuance, but you're definitely at risk of them demanding it back as an overpayment. I'd recommend calling your worker and being upfront about the situation - explain that you thought the SAR-7 only affected CalFresh and that's why you didn't realize the urgency. Most workers appreciate honesty and might work with you on avoiding penalties. Also, keep detailed records of when you submit everything and any conversations you have with county staff. If they do try to collect an overpayment later, having documentation of your good faith efforts to fix the mistake can really help your case. Don't panic, but definitely don't delay getting that form submitted!

I'm so glad to see this community helping each other out! As someone who's been receiving CalWORKs for over 2 years, I can tell you that missing SAR-7s is unfortunately pretty common and the system definitely doesn't make it easy to understand. What happened to you is exactly what I've seen happen to friends - CalFresh gets cut immediately but CalWORKs sometimes takes longer to process the discontinuance. The good news is that you acted quickly once you realized what was happening! I've learned to set phone reminders for the 1st of every report month so I never forget again. One tip that's helped me: if you're ever unsure about reporting requirements, you can usually find your current SAR-7 due date printed on your most recent CalWORKs payment stub. It sounds like you're doing everything right by submitting the form with an explanation. Even if there are some hiccups getting everything restored, you're way better off than if you had just ignored it completely. Keep us posted on how it goes - your experience will definitely help other people in similar situations!